Art Garfunkel interview - Later With Bob Costas 7/24/91 episode 1 of 2 Paul Simon

[@joemarshall4226]

My wife and I saw Art's touring show a year or so before Covid. He was just as engaging as he is here, and his voice was only slighlty softer, but just as beautiful as ever. He said he knew as a child that his voice was a gift from God, and he worked at perfecting everything about it. He would record himself, and listen, and then try to improve everything he could. He said, when it came to music, he always liked "lovely" things. He also told a story about working with Jack Nicholson and Candice Bergen on the film CARNAL KNOWLEDGE. Jack had to do a scene where he threw an unbelievable tantrum, stomping around a bedroom while Candice lay there, watching Jack throw things, and yelling. Art said Jack did it perfectly, take after take, ALL DAY. At the end of the day, Art said to him, "Jack, how can you do that to yourself...all day, and still give such a great performance?" And Jack replied, "I don't know, Art. I always just loved to act...." And then Art said, "And that's how it is for me. I always just loved to sing."

[@ilovedylan3943]

Such an incredibly intelligent man, I could listen to him for hours. not to mention that he is one of the greatest singers and musicians ever.....

[@ifyoueverfind78]

art is hilarious. love him..very bright .

[@jcascarelli01cascarelli45]

simon and garfunkel singing together was such a gift to the world

[@craigplumlee]

I really liked Paul Simon's interview but I like Art's a little more. I enjoy the way he articulates his answers

[@humanbeing2420]

He's quite intelligent.

[@NHWilderness]

Only a few voices were as perfectly matched in my lifetime as Simon and Garfunkel that would send chills up and down my spine m..ABBA was one as well

[@nolavout3025]

He gets me every time, its those eyes and that grin, no wonder he played the cheshire cat!!!! He s just so soothing

[@myrtlelucy]

The end of the "Bridge Over Troubled Water"is Super Magnificent! 🎶💯 Whenever I listen to the song I am waiting for the ending part. ✌️

[@homegrownpa]

I do love intelligent conversation! Never stop thinking outside the box.

[@carmenbanayat4555]

Really really love you Art. You're the best!

[@vedicastrologyteacher]

It's very clear how Paul Simon was the driving force.. Art Garfunkel did not even understand the notion that Paul could not have made those records with him. He does not mean it as an insult, he means it as a path of self-discovery through his own creative process.. as Bob elucidated a few minutes later AFTER Art admitted that he would reject some of Paul's ideas. Paul was the composer, the writer, the creator. That is different than the "talent" (as its called). Art is a magnificent talent. But he is not a composer, a writer - a creator who in the process of creating is creating HIMSELF. That is Paul Simon. Just like in a marriage. One partner may love the partnership more than the other one and is benefitting more than the other one.. Even though they each love the other. All things are not equal.

[@SN2903]

Art is a genius. His arrangements are so underrated. Best voice ever.

[@claytonpatterson4244]

Mafiz music

[@ElvarMasson]

Underrated ? By who ?

[@dr.strangelove7788]

Not saying he is not talented, but I have never heard Art described as a genius. How so?

[@donniemoder1466]

I didn't know he is the arranger of the vocals.

[@kevinhanney1979]

Art is great, but the Article doesn't really go there, it's about Him and Paul.

[@cindyinnew]

“I know the pace of his heartbeat” tells us everything we need to know about their relationship. Close regardless of the friction

[@joemarshall4226]

Scarborough Fair was always my favorite, too. And The 59th St Bridge song is still magic.

[@patriciabarnes7034]

I love how humble Art is.

[@lindawagar976]

What a great interview.

[@dennysmith7862]

Am a huge fan and admirer of this gentle, humble, talented man... His son looks just like him, same lovely curly hair too... Comes across as such a genuinely caring and humble man...

[@jessewoody5772]

The term Extramusical Elements, what a fascinating way of viewing their musical bond. Art is very inteligent and ARTiculate !

[@foodfudd]

A great singer and actor being interviewed by a great interviewer. Two class acts. Very interesting to watch and listen to.

[@squaretriangle9208]

I have the feeling it´s a very different era when Garfunkel convincingly states at 19:37 "we don´t sacrifice our peace of mind for a product" today it´s the complete opposite - the product is everything

[@kalmia01]

True. This is key, as societies, understanding when and why it happened, and how to possibly change and reverse this lethal process

[@llongdong]

Costas is a National Treasure. When I get sickened trying to watch today's "interviewers" hype themselves and talk over their guests, I hop on KZbin to watch Cavett, Carson, and Costas - The 3 C's of talk show greatness. Add to the fact that Costas is a wondrous sports announcer, and you really have a special talent.

[@CodyWeinmannComposer]

When he was talking about recording layers, sound on sound, that got me! As a kid and teen, I remember when I used to record the music into one portable recorder and then putting the music cassette into my stereo tape deck and then putting a separate cassette in the portable recorder and record vocal parts. Loved it. Still do. Simon and Garfunkel were my inspiration for doing that.

[@gabriellew6467]

Old and yet still so appealing - both the music and the man even 30odd years after this interview. Bob Costas makes the interview flow faultlessly, a conversation, rather than an interview. Beautiful listening

[@ClevelandLiveMusic]

Gotcha hooked on Costas! He is my favorite...always prepared at worst!

[@gabriellew6467]

@@ClevelandLiveMusic he never lets his personality intrude, always professionell, no ego problem

[@subg8858]

These Later with Bob interviews are great. I've been watching a number of them the last couple days. Thanks!

[@ClevelandLiveMusic]

I love Costas as an interviewer. Not just factoids but conceptual questions as well.

[@geraldinapadilla6327]

Traduscan en español

[@katiezee2]

I like that Artie explained the difference between the Song and the Record, what the producer does. So many people say 'song' whent they actually mean the Record... one example : Tutti Fruitti, Little Richard vs Pat Boone --- same song, way different records.

[@onieward]

what a wonderful human being! his (and their) music shaped a generation or two. but even more, i love the way he thinks and speaks. amazing. ❤️👍

[@kalmia01]

So much agree. And so its no wonder where the music came from. Art and Paul music comes from two very bright, sensitive, higly intelligent and kwowledgeable, and alltogether wonderful people

[@Golfstar17]

Either Bob is aware of EVERYONE's story by his own nature - or he does it by enormous homework.... either way - he really knows how to conduct an interview.

[@ClevelandLiveMusic]

Agreed perhaps TV's best interviewer ever

[@fenwayify]

He is nearly always well informed and well prepared. In addition, he doesn't shy away from the tough questions, but does so in a respectful fashion and with good humor. Mike Wallace and Ted Koppel may have surpassed him in challenging people they interviewed, but lacked Bob's affable and sincere manner which often produced superior results. Still today, Bob's "Back on the record" is the best out there. Check out his interview with Aly Raisman from the first episode of his new show and Anthony Quinn or Mickey Mantle from "Later" and you'll see his ability at its finest...his willingness to talk about controversial issues like guns, race, steroid use and TBI in football has benefitted society...

[@cindyinnew]

@@ClevelandLiveMusic that would be Dick Cavett

[@ClevelandLiveMusic]

@@cindyinnew I like early Cavett...but as he went on his stories/jokes fell very flat. The ABC years are gold. The PBS years lesser. ...by the CNBC finale hard to watch (that being said I have about 50 episodes)

[@cindyinnew]

@@ClevelandLiveMusic I total agree. Yes it’s common knowledge that he wasn’t as good as time went on. That being said, in his prime he was the best in my opinion. I do think Bob Costas is great as well.

[@toddubow2599]

Love Art so much

[@alphabeets]

Thanks for posting these Garfunkel interviews.

[@californiadreaming567]

They were my favorite then and now. I would enjoyed hearing more great records.

[@cyworld2707]

Scarborough Fair is my favorite Simon & Garfunkel song. A traditional English ballad of 1570, the song awoke a Medieval Revival that was further followed up by the 1968 Franco Zeffirelli movie Romero and Juliet that came out 2 years later. If you didn't know any better, you'd think Scarborough Fair was from the soundtrack of that movie.

[@joemarshall4226]

Didn't they use it in Mrs Robinson?

[@andrewcalhoun7214]

Paul Simon learned "Scarborough Fair" from Martin Carthy in England.

[@todd3563]

Bob Costas is a great interviewer. It's more of an intimate conversation than interview. Wish he'd replace any of the late night hosts who force their politics on us.

[@tomsd8656]

Well, they can't really force anything on us. Just stop watching. I hadn't seen any SNL, talk show, or the TV show in general for years. I was watching a lot before. The only entity that can force its politics on us is the government.

[@chairde]

That was a talented neighborhood.

[@Dreama40]

Mr Garfunkel was my Maths Professor.

[@ClevelandLiveMusic]

Very cool

[@gardensofthegods]

Can you tell us anything at all about what it was like when he was your maths professor . Any stories at all would be cool ... or just anything that you thought was interesting ?

[@Dreama40]

@@gardensofthegods It was way back in the early 70's in Connecticut, I remember my parents asking me to get his autograph lol, he was very thorough and was patient with us. Unfortunately at the time I did not fully appreciate his stature and talent, I had so many of my own issues going on so to me he was just my Maths teacher hehe. He never sang for us either lol.

[@gardensofthegods]

@@Dreama40 I can understand what you mean and I guess your parents had never played any of his music for you back then ... ? Did he seem to have a sense of humor from what you can recall ? It sounds to me that yes he was kind and a good teacher but maybe nothing outstanding ? Or maybe he was trying to not really be noticed and just be efficient and good at teaching .

[@Dreama40]

@@gardensofthegods He did occasionally tell us stories of his past, once again I just wasn't really in awe of him (at the time)so I really didn't take it all in. He was so advanced with his mathematics knowledge that I found it hard to keep up lol, but he was very patient and tried hard to explain things. He was always way ahead of us so keeping up was a real challenge. He use to walk up and down the classroom whilst teaching and I remember how nice he smelled lol, some kind of male perfume, but It smelled really good haha. It was a prep school so I only had him for one semester but yeah I was totally clueless that my maths teacher was a living legend haha.

[@Lorena-tz1lf]

Se que hoy tiene muchos más años, pero, qué atractivo hombre y su voz, maravillosa.

[@AccurateCrabLegs]

Art saw every performance of “The Capeman” and gave it a standing ovation

[@WestCascades]

What I always liked about this half hour show was Bob would let all his guests complete their answer without interrupting. Then ask a new question. I wish Howard Stern would do the same. I like Howard very much, but he constantly interrupts a guests answer many times.

[@ClevelandLiveMusic]

Howard grew a lot as an interviewer over the years, but was not blessed with Costas's intellect nor listening skills.

[@Orcinus1967]

Howard is a shit stirrer. You have to know your audience. His original claim to fame was being a shock jock. Costas doesn't do a show a day, and is much more subtle. As Art said in this interview, "what a subtle question". Howard is rarely subtle, but does get his guests to explain subtle nuances, he has definitely grown as an interviewer, and has been at it longer than Costas, who does a show every how often? Art was candid, but did refuse a "too blunt" question. He wasn't going to talk shit about one of his oldest friends.

[@donniebobb74]

Beautiful convo. damn. back to writing/recoding.

[@Goodpatron]

This is back when interviews were actually insightful. 🤔

[@davidbeja]

Amazing interview!!!

[@ClevelandLiveMusic]

Costas is good at that...Art's are far more real than Simon on the same series

[@bucksdiaryfan]

I was probably 4 when I first heard "Scarborough Fair"... I think it blew me away... "The Graduate" is a corny movie about an annoying self-centered nerd without the emotional heft of "Sounds of Silence"... I loved it on first watch, since then I can't stand it (the movie, not "Sounds of Silence" that is still amazing)

[@joemarshall4226]

Yes. Thank you. that movie WAS over-rated. But the soundtrack was great.

[@bucksdiaryfan]

@@joemarshall4226 I can't even watch it anymore... its like a handbook for stalkers

[@scottburton9701]

Art was recently here in Connecticut-Wish I had seen him.

[@sdne1959]

. Can't tell you how many performers I wished I had seen while they were still around, with Elvis at the top of my list. The good news is, you still have a chance to someday see Mr. G !! .

[@NotHalfBadNomad]

Great interview!

[@bbfeign1]

Intelligent guy

[@Guitcad1]

I don't know why I didn't realize he's Jewish. This is so charming! I could listen to him and take in his insights for hours!

[@nolavout3025]

Check out the hooter!!!😁😁😁

[@lamper2]

I think he meant to contrast CHORDS VS CREWCUTS? and Little Richard (R.I.P.) vs Pat Boone. Does anybody remember Paul describing the guitar sound he wanted(some late 60's documentary on network TV) as : " A KNIFE CUTTING THROUGH BURLAP?"

[@charleswinokoor6023]

You are correct.

[@eddygsmusicworld1708]

great vocabulary

[@the_velvet_void]

Art's the cooler one clearly. No one wants to kick it with Paul.

[@marialouisadangelo8999]

Love

[@tinekedijk7385]

Dig the background !!

[@forrestkim3718]

Things varies. .......look up the winter trees and summer time natural look !

[@richardrogers3477]

Very good interview, and I'd never heard of wire recorders!?

[@thomasbentin2205]

Yeah. Seems like they dont do this kind of interviews anymore, asking really essentiel and deep questions, having a real conversation. Enjoyed that.

[@steveconn]

Artie driving an Uber in Spanish Harlem today, usually recovering from a stab wound. It pays to actually write the songs!

[@jeffreyjacobs390]

I was quite ticked off when Garfunkel left his better, his friend since elementary school ... a young man that sang, Played, Composed and led the charge WHICH TOOK THEM TO RICHES ..... left Paul in the studio booked for the two to do their tracks for the upcoming album ..... but, ART COULD NOT KEEP HIS COMMITMENT TO THAT FIRST OPPORTUNITY .... and that is what destroyed SIMON & GARFUNKEL ! I bought his Watermark album - Jimmy Webb gave him material So Great. GBjj

[@kevinhanney1979]

So Art talks about not being involved in the creative' final product' enough...probably all successful duos the same...Costas hit it, if the result is S&G $$$ and more material for praise, most everyone would forego the arguing/difference's part. Garfunkel says "no," but if your kid wants to go to THAT college and it costs $$$ much, don't u as a dad do it? Also, Bridge doesn't go anywhere without Art, and Art goes nowhere as S&G, obviously, without Paul, so Art acted and sang successfully without Simon....but of course we all loved and continue to want reunion tours...y did they do Central Park, the '93 tour, and the most recent farewell or whatever deal, with an episode @ MSG? Art mentions that they had a fake break up in school, and were kind of famous locally, so, who's to say the later "break up" wasn't staged, or did Paul just want more Latin or whatever creativity w/ out Art? No Art helped create Graceland, right? Seriously I thought a breakup would only be because of a girl, or money...just my opinion; when u go to work u don't need to love or like all the other employees, but if it's one guy it might be tough.

[@andrewhalpin1872]

Anyone else wondering why Richard Madeley has an American accent?

[@jchow5966]

☮️💟💟💟💟💟💟

[@graphene1487]

Vanity

[@shaverdesign]

Paul Simon was right, Art is peculiar, and I would say, pretentious.

[@forrestkim3718]

I think God gathering them nearby together and let them create mankind history in many ways. .......

[@MjlovesMinivans]

11:02 it’s so interesting I have this exact feeling with my mom like now she’s goin on this trip and they’re going to Kentucky Iv Never been their goin to Noah’s ark and I was thinking man I thought Kentucky was south of me but I felt like she was north of me we live in Baltimore maryland and basically Kentucky is south but they were in Ohio at the time it’s hard to explain every time she’s away from me it’s like I feel where she is

[@hansjuker8296]

Luke Skywalker interviews Art Garfunkel?

[@gsc76]

I found him a little arrogant here. When asked the songs that stand the test of time he only says a song not written by Paul in Scarborough fair and a song written by Paul for only him to sing in bridge over troubled water. Let’s face it, in music history, without Paul, there is no art.

[@Dev-ie1ez]

Ahh you're probably reading a little too much between the lines on this one. I don't thing he had that thought behind naming those songs as some of the most timeless ones.

[@debbiemaddox9360]

And Paul without ART, there is NO Simon and Garfunkel. Together they made the beautiful music harmonies of the 60’s. Who knows if without ART there may have never been a successful career for Paul. Paul needs to thank his lucky stars for ART and treat him kindly as should Art!!!

[@ej3016]

wow just chill - Artie was being real and honest and you turn it into something petty - your comment says a whole bunch more about your issues than Artie’s choices

[@Orcinus1967]

@@ej3016 Amen.

[@ciaranflynn1397]

@@debbiemaddox9360 I disagree, Paul without Art is a more viable proposal than Art without Paul. Pauls songwriting is second to none and would have most definitely elevated him to fame in some shape. I think Art without Pauls songs there is a bigger chance he ends up an architect

[@MjlovesMinivans]

7:29 he does seem alil pretentious but I like them both but when I watched them doing interviews together they seem so awkward

[@DrewMoody]

"Cuba, Si, Nixon, No" sounds like a fucking dreadful song lol

[@TheEleatic]

Bad actor.

[@ilovecarlwilson]

I mean in those days acting wasn't really good but he probably an okay actor then

[@dr.strangelove7788]

The ego on this guy! Art, you are NOTHING without Paul Simon.

[@MsJerrySparkle]

wtf

[@harrisongelles685]

What are you talking about? He wasn’t egotistical, but deserves his due. Paul Simon wrote and played guitar, but there wouldn’t have been a successful duo without Art’s high harmonies and beautiful vocals. They both couldn’t have been a duo without the other one.

[@dr.strangelove7788]

@@harrisongelles685 well yes Art is a good singer but I just hate it when people think they are equals. Paul was not just a songwriter but probably the best American songwriter of all. And totally committed to songwriting. Hell, …so much that it broke up his marriage to Carrie Fisher.

[@nomiddlenamenmn427]

Based on their personalities, I believe Paul would have found a singer and moved forward. Art seems like an eccentric, gifted guy. Paul was likely the one who pushed them and got them noticed by the right people.

[@SN2903]

He literally sang their music famous song. Garfunkels voice put them over the top.